Philippine ambassador to U.S. visits San Diego

CHULA VISTA  A rare visit to San Diego County last weekend by Jose L. Cuisia Jr﻿., the Philippines’ ambassador to the U.S., aimed to encourage the Filipino-American community to engage in policy-making and advocacy efforts.

At the Cultural Arts Center at Rancho del Rey Middle School in Chula Vista on Friday,﻿﻿ Cuisia spoke to several hundred people at the first FilAmSD ﻿event, organized and hosted by Chula Vista native and diplomat Francine Maigue at the request of Cuisia.

Maigue, 32, created FilAmSD to unite, empower and celebrate the local Filipino American community.

“For me it’s particularly exciting because we have a very large and enthusiastic group of Filipino-Americans right here in San Diego,” Maigue said. “To create an event specific to the Filipino-Americans of San Diego and to do it in a way that involved so many dignitaries and shows the passion of these people was very special.”

Throughout the weekend, Cuisia and his wife Victoria met with local dignitaries, including San Diego Mayor Bob Filner, to discuss local initiatives that support the Filipino American community.

“The common thread that has gathered you together tonight is that you’re all proud Filipinos,” Cuisia said. “This evening is an opportunity not only for myself and our consulate officials to touch base with you but it’s equally important for you to reunite with your fellow ‘kababayans’ and make new acquaintances.”

First generation Filipino-American Ron Vicente, a Chula Vista resident, attended the event with his parents and two children. Adalyn, 13, and Brennen Vicente, 14, are students at Rancho del Rey Middle School.

“Since it was being held locally I thought we’d see what it’s all about,” Vicente said. “It’s a good opportunity for the kids to see the people who have excelled in the community and inspire other people to take that same path.”

National City Mayor Ron Morrison said the Filipino-American community contributes greatly to the cultural variety in the South Bay.

“We would not be the community that we are as a region or anything else, without the Filipino-American culture, the Filipino-American community,” Morrison said.

Others in attendance included Sweetwater Union High School Superintendent Ed Brand, school board president Jim Cartmill and vice president Arlie Ricasa.

“It’s definitely an honor to have such a high-ranking official come here and represent both communities,” Ricasa said, adding she’s one of just three elected Filipino-Americans in San Diego County.

In the U.S. there are more than 3.4 million Filipinos, while in San Diego County there are more than 182,000, according to the 2010 U.S. Census.

Despite the numbers, Cuisia said Filipino-Americans still fall under the radar in terms of their presence in policy-making, advocacy groups and other areas.

“But there is potential to make our presence felt and valued in mainstream U.S. society,” he said.

Cuisia said the Filipino-American “experience” is similar to the American dream.

“It is about finding your place and making it your own,” he said. “It is about giving back and enriching the community you live in, while also achieving you’re fullest potentials.”